Recently I’ve been catching up on tv and some of the more mature/adult shows, which I’ve been…Enjoying? Seems like the wrong word, but they’ve all generally been cynical or dark.
For reference, I’ve just finished Better Call Saul, which got me to finally get around to finishing Breaking Bad, and I’ve also been doing a rewatch of the anime Monster as it’s been years since I last watched it.
So basically back to back dark shows.
I’ve already watched The Good Place, which nails what I’m describing, but it’s a little blunt with the sweetness, while I’ve watched some of Bee and Puppycat which seems like it’s closer to a nice middleground of sweet and real.
What are some of your go-to shows for this kinda vibe?
Ted Lasso
This is the answer right here. Show made me so happy I cried, regularly. Just absolutely fantastic all around.
Take it from a die-hard cynical realist, Ted Lasso is heartwarming and inspiring in just the right measure without being terribly saccharine or campy. Very well written as well. The third season faltered a bit in the beginning, I thought, but it ended well.
One of the most wholesome shows out there
Parks and Recreation!
This is a great suggestion! A show with a great heart. Start with season 2 though. Season 1 tried to be like The Office and that turned a lot of people off. Parks and Rec finds its own voice in season 2.
Anything created by Michael Schur really, along with Parks and Rec he also did Brooklyn Nine Nine and The Good Place, both of which are funny and full of heartwarming moments compared to a lot of other shows these days.
He did The Office too but I think he hadn’t quite hit his stride when he did that show, it has its moments but to me The Office leaned way too heavily on secondhand cringe humor.
Came here to say this. Great show!
Schitt’s Creek
Oh this is a fantastic show! While I do re-watch it, I would give anything to re-watch it from “scratch” again.
Try Better Off Ted. It only ran for a season and a half but it was funny.
Extremely underrated
Using these bagels for evil would be like beating a unicorn to death with a bag of rainbows.
Taskmaster
Would I Lie to You?
Avatar The Last Airbender
Loremen podcast
Edited to add:
One Punch Man first season is hilarious.
The trifecta of 2010s animation: Regular Show, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time. There’s jokes and themes in these that are pretty adult, but the darker stuff is generally avoided.
1980s: Dogtanian and the 3 Muskehounds. Mysterious Cities of Gold. Best theme tunes ever, and very easy watching.
Taskmaster and WILTY are fantastic. These are some of my favorite “I want to watch something that I’ll enjoy but don’t need to actually care too much about” shows.
Psych
You know that’s right.
I know, you know, that I’m not telling the truth.
Came to add this, glad to see it’s here, just finished the series, now I’m trying to find the 2nd and 3rd movie.
Monk
Bluey pretends to be for kids but it’s surely for adults.
It’s so funny. Bandit is the best. I haven’t dentified with a cartoon dog so strongly since Mr. Peanutbutter.
For parents and kids, not childless adults.
No
Yes.
My Name Is Earl is my favorite go-to light-hearted and positive sitcom. Follows the story of a rather silly, ignorant redneck that begins to believe in karma, and so writes a list everyone he has ever wronged and goes about fixing it one by one.
It’s pretty good.
One of my favorite shows of all time. The jokes are non stop. Many are in-your-face slapstick, but others are subtly slid into the dialogue. It’s a smart comedy about stupid people. I consistently found myself hoping that everything would work out for this bunch of morons, but at the same time, laughed when they got what they deserved.
“Everybody just calm down!”
The only real down note in the show.
I highly recommend Bob’s burgers!
Good Omens.
Just season 1 tho season 2 goes nowhere
S2 was still fun!
It was pretty popular in my house, but we’re all frightfully silly here.
Season 2 was written purely as build up for season 3 tbf.
Awesome, also read the book if you can.
That was years ago :)
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Worth noting: you don’t have to know Star Trek to love this show! Sure, it helps, you’ll get a few deep cuts here and there, but it is still an absolute joy.
I love sitcoms but beneath their light exterior they always have a heart of darkness, or at least a trace of one. But given your OP, I figure you can handle a teensy bit of a shadow side. Here are some generally upbeat shows with lots of laughs.
Catastrophe- I think it strikes the right balance of optimism in the face of doubt. It’s light but not saccharine. It’s my favorite sitcom.
It Crowd
Black Books
30 Rock
Black-ish
Adventure Time
Mentioned in lots of other replies:
Parks and Rec
New Girl (extremely underrated)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Brooklyn 99
Taskmaster
WILTY
Wow we might be the same person, except I haven’t watched Black-ish or Black Books. I’ll have to look into those.
Please watch them - they’re very different but both great. What shows not on my list would you recommend?
Well you didn’t mention The Good Place, but from your username I assume you’ve watched it :) .
Ted Lasso is really great throughout and has a really positive viewpoint while still dealing with tough subjects.
Starstruck (you’ll recognize Rose Matefeo) is a great lightish comedy.
Crazy ex girlfriend
Santa Clarita diet
For animated stuff, these are all top-tier:
- Over the Garden Wall
- Gravity Falls
- Steven Universe
- Avatar The Last Airbender
- Legend of Korra
Thank you - I’m adding these to my list! And yes, I’m a Good Place fan. I didn’t mention it because OP mentioned recently seeing it.
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Bob’s Burgers.
Community! If you like The Good Place you’ll love it. It’s my favorite show of all time
Schitt’s Creek (was already mentioned but is worth mentioning again
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Superstore
Derry Girls
Wellmania (sadly Netflix did a Netflix and discontinued another great show after only one season)
Or just rewatch The Office or Parks & Recreation once again 😄
Superstore is severely underrated
